Mad Butcher Club - Sir Peter Leitch

Sir Peter Leitch’s
Mad Butcher Club
AT MT SMART STADIUM, HOME OF THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS
Newsletter
21 January 2016
#
105
No advertisements are paid for in this newsletter.
Vodafone Warriors Family Fun Day
at the Ellerslie Race Course
Balin Cupples- head of athletic
performance. Jim Doyle - managing
director. Justin Morgan - Assistant
Coach. Mr and Mrs McFadden - head
coach of the Vodafone Warriors
Brendan Inkster (from Manly)
Strength, Power & Rehab Coach, Jeff
Robson (from Cronulla), Jacob Lillyman now a Dad.
Brendon and Michelle Pongia a
Former Tall Black
Dan Floyd football operations
manager for Vodafone Warriors with
lovely wife Kelly and girls Charlie and
Mia.
Konrad Hurrell, Ben Matulino, Sam
Lisone, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck,
Albert Vete at the races
Lachlan Lyrahlle and Raymond
grandsons of Doug Murray the
manager of NYC Vodafone Warriors.
Laurie Hale (Vodafone Warriors
Manager) with wife Tracy and his two
daughters Madi and Georgia (NRL
Ambassador)
Tui-Kay-Jake Lillyman’s partner,
Whitney- Albert Vetes partner,
Selina-Jono Wrights wife and
Courtenay - Ben Matulinos wife
Sione Lousi, partner Brooke Williams
(daughter of famous ex Kiwi Dennis
Williams)
Stacey Jones Family at the races .
From left to right: Waiana, William,
Rachelle, Chellcey and Stacey.
The boys enjoying Ellerslie Races.
Albert Vete, Tui Lolohea and David
Fusitua
Thomas and his wife Natalie
Tui Lillyman and baby Arani Jacob
Lillyman with Janice.
Mason Lino and partner Anna Saito
T
New Vodafone Warriors signing
Blake Ayshford from Cronulla Sharks
with fiancé Maria Hahipene from
Whakatane - Benji Marshall country.
HE MIGHTY Vodafone Warriors look in good
shape and I am told pre-season training is going
well, and that our new signings are all fitting in well.
day for the otago taieri A&P show being held in mosgiel in gordon road if your around pop in and say hi
and I’m really looking forward to it.
But before we go any further, I want to share the love
with all our league friends in the UK.
And speaking of looking forward to things, the Nines
look to be all on schedule, with a new sponsor in
Downer on board, over Christmas I had the vodafone warriors head coach over to waiheke for the day
with his family and he told me all the guys are very
keen to play in the NINES and I can hardly wait.
Some of them have been doing it tough while we
bask in the summer, first being hit by floods, and
then the snow falling.so we wish them all the best
I had a great Christmas on Waiheke Island, getting in
plenty of kayaking and spending some quality time
with family and friends. And watching a lot of TV
just chilling out and resting
This Saturday I am off to the South Island for the
Mad Butcher Club
I know we say it every year, but the Vodafone Warriors are in good shape and I believe- I always believe
– we can do good things this year.
Bring it on.
Newsletter
Page 2
Downer Joins as 2016 NRL Auckland Nines Naming Rights
Sponsor
T
HE NRL Auckland Nines
event received a huge boost
today with leading engineering
and infrastructure group Downer taking over as the 2016 Nines
naming rights sponsor.
Duco Events said the new partnership would go a long way to
ensuring next month’s event is a
major success.
Downer agreed to take over the
top sponsorship role following the
end of Duco’s partnership with
electronics retailer, Dick Smith.
Mr Snedden said a lot of hard
work had occurred over the last
few days to put Duco and Downer
into a position to make today’s
announcement.
“The teams from both Duco and
Downer have worked together
quickly and co-operatively within a very tight deadline to reach
agreement on how our relationship for an event which is now less
than three weeks away can work,”
he said.
“The NRL, ATEED and our other
Nines event partners have given
Duco great support during this
time”.
The multi-award winning tournament will now be known as the
Downer NRL Auckland Nines and
will be played on February 6th and The Chief Executive of Downer,
7th at Eden Park.
Grant Fenn, said he was thrilled
with the partnership.
Downer has a long history in both
Australia and New Zealand, dating “Downer is delighted to be associback more than a century, and is
ated with this great event over the
now a Top-100 company on the
Waitangi weekend,” he said.
Australian Securities Exchange.
“We have a proud history and exDowner provides comprehensive
tensive operations in both Australservices to customers in markets
ia and New Zealand. It’s sure to be
including transport, rail, mining,
a great weekend of footy.”
utilities, technology and comNRL Chief Commercial Officer,
munications, and engineering,
Michael Brown said the Downer
construction and maintenance.
sponsorship was a boost for the
Downer employs about 20,000
Nines on the eve of the 2016 tourpeople and operates primarily in
nament.
Australia and New Zealand but
also in the Asia-Pacific region,
“The Nines has already become
South America and Southern
a great way to kick off the Rugby
Africa.
League season so it is important to
have a prestigious naming rights
Martin Snedden Duco Events
sponsor,” he said.
Chief Executive, in announcing
the sponsorship agreement, said:
“It is tremendous to be in a position today to announce Downer
as the 2016 Nines naming rights
sponsor.
“Being a highly respected and successful business throughout both
Australia and New Zealand, they
are a great fit with the Nines.”
added his support today for the
new sponsorship appointment.
“This is great news for the NRL
Auckland Nines, and the speed
with which Duco Events has
secured Downer as a new naming
rights sponsor for the 2016 tournament is a testament to the popularity and strength of the event,”
Mr O’Riley said.
“It is also good to see another
company with such a strong New
Zealand history and presence, and
close Trans-Tasman links, come
into the Nines family of sponsors.”
In the space of just two years, the
Nines has earned a reputation as
an event where the stars turn up
to play and has been a landmark
event on the Auckland landscape.
Benji Marshall, Kieran Foran, Josh
Dugan and Daly Cherry-Evans
all competed at the Nines last
year, while expectation has further increased on the Warriors in
2016 following the recent signings
of Issac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Kangaroos and Maroons star Billy
Slater has signalled he will make
his Nines debut at this year’s event,
while Shaun Johnson is also targeting the 2016 tournament for his
comeback from injury.
Organisers are again predicting
a bumper Eden Park crowd with
tickets starting from NZ$69 still
available.
“We are delighted that a company with a brand like Downer has
come on board at short notice.
“It is a real vote of confidence in
the Nines.”
Auckland Tourism Events Economic Development (ATEED)
Chief Executive Brett O’Riley had
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Page 3
Nines Just Around the Corner
T
HE NRL Auckland Nines is full steam ahead with the tournament just around the
corner! It’s now just over three weeks until all 16 NRL clubs battle it out at Eden Park
for their share of a massive prize pool. I think we can all agree the best way to experience
this event would be live from the Sir Peter Leitch Elite lounge!
With tickets at just $349pp for two days of awesome entertainment, you will have access
to the greatest lounge in the stadium, a cash bar and delectable food options, a seat right
outside, and of course yours truly the Mad Butcher will be there to entertain you along
with some truly special guests such as Mal Meninga, Andrew Johns, State of Origin stars
and even rugby legend Carlos Spencer!
These tickets are selling faster than a mad butchers sausage sizzle, so don’t miss out! Get yours now from
www.ticketek.co.nz/nines
Check out this couple going to the Nines on their Honeymoon!
Hi Sir Peter
M
Y FIANCEE is now my wife ( pic attached) so our trip is our
honeymoon. We set off for Christchurch tomorrow We will be in
Auckland from Friday 5th and we fly back to UK on Friday 12th.
Looking forward to a great weekend of Rugby
Kind Regards
Gordon Russell
Keep up with Sir Peter Leitch! Click the icons to follow him on:
Facebook
Instagram
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Twitter
Page 5
Are you NSW Warrior Proud?
Y
OU ARE invited the 1st NSW
Warriors Supporters Forum
which is being held on Thursday January 28th @ 6.30pm.
In attendance will be Vodafone
Warriors CEO - Jim Doyle and the
Vodafone Warriors Fan Engagement
Manager. Both are very keen to meet
the NSW's most passionate supporters and will be answering all of your
questions. This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to engage one on one
in the 1st supporters forum! Please
come prepared with your questions,
thoughts and ideas regarding match
day experiences and memberships for
example.
Please note: This is not a forum to
sign autographs nor will there be
any players attending for photos etc.
Support our
sponsors as they
help support this
newsletter.
Get movie deals
any day of the week
Thanks to Vodafone Fantastic Fridays
Visit vodafone.co.nz/movies
Vodafone
Power to you
Eligible customers only. Not available to business customers. $2.50 admin fee applies. Full terms go to vodafone.co.nz/movies. One 2 for 1 Movie Voucher offer per person, per week.
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Page 6
Cappy’s Christmas
Coach with his mate Cameron
George CEO of Ellerslie
Racecourse.
Cappy and his Wife.
Coach and his Boys.
T
HE VODAFONE Warriors
coach Andrew checking out
the Waiheke Rams rugby league
clubs mascot over the Christmas
break.
Trevor and Lorna Warrington
Dear Sir Peter,
I
WOULD LIKE to thank you very much for my Ali Lauitiiti book that I won through the competition in
your Newsletter before Christmas. I was able to get it signed, as well as a photo of Ali and myself from way
back, at the Mighty Vodafone Warriors
Christmas BBQ held at the Ellerslie Racecourse.
M8 the Warriors Gnome also got to have his photo taken with Santa. He enjoyed the peppermint sticks that
he was given afterwards as well.
Then who did we bump into but the pretty cheerleaders who asked us (sort of) for a photo with them.
That was a spectacular day and the best thing was seeing all the supporters and their families there having
a great time with the Mighty Vodafone Warriors squad. I would also like
to thank the Management team very much for their outstanding effort in
putting on a great day for all of us.
From Trevor and Lorna Warrington and also M8 the Warriors Gnome.
Ali Lauati’iti signing our books.
Trevor and M8 with the cheerleaders.
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Trevor and M8 with Santa
Page 7
Readers on Holiday
F
ORMER VODAFONE Warrior Nathan Friend sent us this photo of
his big catch. He is now with the Gold Coast Titans and is living on the
Gold Coast.
“To all my mates in New Zealand Happy New Year” - Friendy
Hi Peter
H
APPY NEW year - I am in
Sydney ran into a friend of
yours who asked me to say hello Ray Rabbits Warren
Take care
Warrior fan Jack Stone jumps the
Whangamata wharf - John Holloway.
Ken Eruera on Holiday
Lake Taylor in Christchurch!
Lizzie
This is an average days fishing for me
- Ian Carpenter Mad Butcher Club
Member.
Christchurch - Hurunui
Lakes Area.
Christchurch CBD.
Te Haua Taua on Holiday in Christchurch
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Page 8
News from our Mates in the UK
Hi Sir Peter,
Hope you enjoyed your weekend and your lovely weather.
Well as I tweeted after seeing your stunning pictures of Waiheke Island,
I thought I would share some pictures of lovely Leeds with my good
mate 'The Mad Butcher'
Well, as you know, many parts of the country were hit by severe floods
in December and on Boxing Day, Leeds also became victim to the
floods. This caused a loss to hundreds of homes and businesses including Leeds Rhinos training facilities at Kirkstall. As you will remember
this is where the Kiwis had their open training day
in October last year. The main road to the training
base became a river which then also flooded the
city centre.
At the weekend along came the white stuff, a covering of snow overnight - something that you're
not used to! I was very jealous of your beautiful
views from your holiday home in Waiheke Island. I
need to get myself to New Zealand - stunning.
Keep well mate, kind regards.
Gail Phillips your Rugby League Mate in Leeds,
UK
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Page 10
Gordon Gibbons
By Julian Raethel - Article first published in and provided courtesy of Eastern Courier
I was real pleased to read this story on my very good mate Gordon Gibbons in the eastern courier and wanted
to share it with you as he is a top bloke. He now works for the Vodafone Warrios as Corporate Sales Manager
before that he was Football Operations Manager at Auckland Rugby League. I have also done a few Kiwis tours
with him as my boss and we are still mates! Enjoy the read - Sir Peter Leitch
W
HEN IT comes to rugby league, there isn't
much you can tell Gordon Gibbons.
The game's been an integral part of his life since he
was 5 years old, running around barefoot with a ball
for the Manukau Magpies.
Fast-forward almost 55 years and Gibbons is in
charge of corporate sales for New Zealand's largest
club at Mt Smart Stadium.
Gibbons says he had very little choice but to accept
the role again for the Kiwis' in their 2008 World Cup
year, when assistant coach Wayne Bennett wouldn't
take no for an answer.
During half-time of the grand final in Brisbane, with
the Kiwis trailing on the scoreboard, he saw the belief
grow in the players.
The team turned around a four-point halftime deficit
to win 34-20.
"A lot of our stuff we sell, the football's secondary," he
says.
"That's something I'll take to my grave with me."
Gibbons recalls some of the game's greats giving the
club big compliments about that.
"Gus Gould, Peter Stirling, Laurie Daley...they all said
our lounge is the best in the NRL."
It's been another disappointing year on the field for
the Warriors and it's something Gibbons hopes can
be rectified in 2016.
"The toughest thing about my job is dealing with the
losses," he says.
Gibbons will receive the ultimate honour in 2016
when he will be awarded a Distinguished Service
Medal from the NZRL.
He's a big family man - he has four children and four
grandchildren - and coaches football for his son's
Lynn Avon club team.
As for the 2016 NRL season and the big signings the
Warriors have secured, Gibbons is certain it's going
to be one heck of a ride.
Gibbons recalls when the Warriors beat the Melbourne Storm in round 18, when they had pushed
their way up to fourth place.
"I was already preparing for a home semi. We never
won a game after that. But that's sport."
Gibbons has been right in the thick of league, on and
off the field.
He played senior premier footy for the Magpies and
later followed head coach Gary Kemble to the Northcote Tigers, where Gibbons became manager.
"In those days [it] was sacrilege," Gibbons says of the
move.
Gordon Gibbons
After management roles at Lion Nathan, he joined
the staff with the Kiwis and his first tour was to Papua New Guinea in 1994.
In 2000 Gibbons was handed the manager role alongside coach Gary Freeman and finished in 2004.
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Page 11
Looking Forward
By Barrry Ross
L
IKE ALL Rugby League fans I can't wait until
Shaun Johnson takes the field for the Warriors
this season. We all know he suffered a season-ending
ankle injury, playing against Manly in late July last
year. The talented halfback had surgery soon after
and all reports we are receiving in Sydney are saying
the 25 year old is on track to take his place in the
Warriors side for their opening competition game, at
Campbelltown on 5 March against the Wests Tigers.
Even though he is a New Zealander, Johnson has
thrilled Australian fans from the moment he made
his first grade debut at the Sydney Football Stadium
(now Allianz Stadium) on 4 June 2011. His CV with
the Warriors reads 101 first grade games and 542
first grade points, from 45 tries, 178 goals and 6 field
goals. His value to the team is perfectly illustrated by
other official NRL stats from last season. In the 18
games he played, he ran for 1,402 metres (average of
78 metres per game), while he also made 280 tackles
(nearly 16 each game). These are quality statistics for
a halfback.
In July last year the Men of League Foundation in
Sydney ran their Magnificent Seven competition.
This was to name the seven best halfbacks in the
television era from around 1960. They were chosen
by a panel, which included Wayne Bennett (Broncos
coach), Neil Cadigan ( Titans media man and Men of
League magazine editor), Warren Smith (Fox Sports
Rugby League Commentator), Tim Sheens (former
Australian coach) and Phil Rothfield (Telegraph
newspaper sports writer). An original group of 14
were selected and then the panel chose the Magnificent Seven. These seven men were Andrew Johns,
Allan Langer, Steve Mortimer, Tom Raudonikis, Billy
Smith, Peter Stirling and Johnathan Thurston. The
seven who missed out were all brilliant players and
they were Greg Alexander, Cooper Cronk, Stacey
Jones, Brett Kimmorley, Barry Muir, Ricky Stuart and
Arthur Summons.
Many fans were stunned that Shaun Johnson missed
out on even being named in the original 14. To be
fair to the panel, they cannot pick everyone but the
Warriors man certainly has the credentials. Stacey
Jones must have been close to being named as one of
the Maginficent Seven. In his 46 Test period between
1995 and 2006, he more than held his own with all
of his opposition halfbacks, as he did in his 150 or so
first grade games with the Warriors.
Mad Butcher Club
There are many other great New Zealand halfbacks
and maybe someone could look at a competition to
choose a Kiwi Magnificent Seven. Some of the men
who starred for New Zealand behind the scrum since
TV games begin are Clayton Friend (24 Tests), Gary
Freeman (46 Tests), Thomas Leuluai (8 Tests), Bill
Snowden (18 Tests), Ken Stirling (22 Tests), Shane
Varley 11 Tests) Bob Irvine (7 Tests), Gordon Smith
(14 Tests) and Aaron Whittaker (3 Tests). When you
add versatile players, who can all handle the halfback
role, such as the Paul brothers Henry (24 Tests) and
Robbie (28 Tests), plus Benji Marshall (27 Tests),
along with Stacey Jones and Shaun Johnson, you
certainly have an impressive and classy group of Kiwi
number sevens.
A New Zealand cricketer has impressed the Australian sporting public over the past few weeks. She is
Sara McGlashan who plays with the Sydney Sixers in
the Womens Big Bash League. After a disastrous start
to the competition in which they lost their first six
games, the Sixers reached the semi finals with their
last ball win over the Hobart Hurricanes at Sydney's
Hurstville Oval last Sunday. But they can thank their
Kiwi that they are playing in the big end of season
games. She made a brilliant 79 not out from just 58
balls against the Hurricanes, including four sixes and
three fours.
When you consider that the second highest Siers score was 11, it is easy to see how valuable
McGlashan's innings was. They needed the win to
reach the semi finals and with just one over to be
bowled they still needed 14 runs. McGlashan hit a
towering six from the second ball and played a strong
straight drive on the last ball to pick up the necessary
two runs and the victory. The Sixers meet the Hobart
Hurricanes again in the semi final, this Friday 22
June at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
It will be played in the afternoon before the Mens
semi final clash between the Melbourne Stars and the
Perth Scorchers at night. Both matches will be televised live by the Ten network and maybe you can see
McGlashan and the Sixers on New Zealand television. The Womens League is a high standard one and
the matches have received good TV ratings.
Newsletter
Page 12
In Mosgiel this
Saturday? Then
come join me!
In Mosgiel this
Saturday? Then
come join me!
Welcome to the Otago Taieri A&P Show this Saturday 23 January 2016 It’s all happening in Gordon Road Mosgiel, lots of show classes for Horses, Cattle, sheep and Goats. Axemen SI Championships, and the Highland games are being held here. Dancing tractors, Girl band Mae Valley, Jonathan Usher bringing his magic show and Amadeo from Otago Museum with an interactive science display. Special Guests include for the Paddock to Plate competition; Celebrity Guest judge ​Sir Peter Charles Leitch KNZM QSM ​(one and only Mad Butcher) he loves to have a chat and Otago’s own super‐ fast rally driver ​Emma Gilmour​ will be here with her rally car. Many trade and market stalls to check out, lots to see and do. Come spend the day at our Annual A&P Show, Gordon Road Mosgiel, it will be a great day. X Factor finalists – Mae Valley
Highland games SI Axemen Championship
Grand Parade Coming soon in The Mad Butchers Newsletter ….
By John Holloway
W
E ARE going to have a bit of Fun and Competition this year as we introduce a Weekly NRL Tipping
Page…My good-self, John “High Tackle” Holloway will be putting together a fine cast of Footy notables and loose-lipped hardcases to pick the NRL winners across the 8 games each week…keeping a running
total to get our grand champion at the end of Round 26. We will be coming up with a suitable Prezzy for the
first place getter!!
Of course any appointed Tipsters that doesn’t pick The Mighty Warriors to win will be automatically tossed
out of the comp forthwith!!
“High Tackle” will also write a commentary column each week talking results and prospects and guaranteed
methods of Tipping for success. The “High Tackle” Personal Tips are contrived with extreme accuracy by
means of a complex system based on Teacup reading, Lucky numbers, Pre-war historical results, Meteorology forecasts, Chinese Whispers and insights by a secret but reliable Gypsy fortune teller. Mate we are talking
stone cold certainties…..with this info you are guaranteed the good oil when you front the old hard earned at
the TAB…. In fact you can probably give up the day job and live on the weekly “multi-bet” winnings bound
to come your way.
So stay tuned, a couple of weeks out from kick-off we will have season preview pieces announcing our Tipsters and running a street-smart eye across each teams “Top 8/ Too Late” prospects with pride of place naturally for the Founders of the Faith, The Penrose Punishers, The Beazley Ave Bashers, Cappys Crushers… The
Mighty Vodafone Waaarrrrriiooorrss.
Immediately prior to the first round we will stick up the first Tipping panel forecast and it’s all on!
You saw it here first, be there or be square.
Get Behind This Great Kid!
I
LOVE GREAT kids doing awesome stuff and I met a young fella this weekend who I want you all to get
behind. His name is Quinn Gardiner-Hall and he is on a mission to inspire more of our Kiwi kids to put
down the i-Pads and Xbox's and get outside and be active,
which I think is excellent.
Quinn is running 4 half marathons, in 4 countries, before he
turns 12 - he is only 9!
He has already run 2 half marathons, including the Australian Outback Half Marathon in 1 hour 57 minutes and in both
races he wasted his Mum, which he's really proud of. He has
got some sponsorship to help him get to Hawai'i this year to
run the Kauai Half Marathon but needs some help to get to
Antarctica to run the Antarctica Half Marathon which is the
final event on his list.
Here's a link to his givealittle page folks - if like me you think
this is an awesome little Kiwi fella doing fantastic things and
you've got a couple of bucks to spare, please give generously:
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/quinnsonamission/
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Page 14
Get movie deals
any day of the week
Thanks to Vodafone Fantastic Fridays
Visit vodafone.co.nz/movies
Vodafone
Power to you
Eligible customers only. Not available to business customers. $2.50 admin fee applies. Full terms go to vodafone.co.nz/movies. One 2 for 1 Movie Voucher offer per person, per week.
The History of the Mad Butcher Lounge
By Mike Brown
T
HERE HAVE been many
changes to The Mad Butcher
Lounge at Warriors’ headquarters
at Mount Smart.
The most notable is our host
received a knighthood in 2010 for
services to business and philanthropy.
The Lounge came about when the
then Mad Butcher was approached
by the club and asked if he would
like to give his name to a room for
fans to meet before and after the
game and if he could pop in now
and then.
“I’m not one to look a gift horse
in the mouth so jumped at the
opportunity,” Sir Peter recalled.
“They had passes made up and we
soon had a cross section of up to
50 people join and I never left the
place!”
The first room allocated was the
old ‘Referees’ room’ in the bottom
corner of the West Stand, which
already had bar facilities.
Notable guests in those early years
were Bill and Rona Jones, parents
of Stacey, who was yet to make his
first grade debut. Trevor Bell, who
had played league in his younger
days at Richmond with Bill Jones
and Trevor’s wife Tui, who was a
Mangere East league supporter
and knew The Mad Butcher from
there, were also to become stalwarts of the lounge.
It was a small but cosy place, no
windows and was closed while the
game was in progress.
“It was down the corridor from
the players’ changing rooms and
we often got a couple from the
team pop in to say hello and have
a chat after the game,” said Sir
Peter.
“We were comfortable where we
were and had no idea what the
future held.”
The name change of the stadium
in 2000 from Ericsson to Mount
Smart Stadium, coincided with a
shift of The Mad Butcher Lounge
to the back of the East Stand.
This was a change of massive proportions, from a tight-knit group
of 50 members, this lounge was 10
times the size and new members
were canvassed to fill it, plus there
were windows so you had an idea
when to go home!
“This was the big time for us now,”
said Sir Peter.
“It took the pre-game entertainment for our members to a high
level.”
These included the addition of a
DJ, Peter McVeigh, who must have
worn all his Neil Diamond and
Tina Turner tapes out by now.
The guest who perform in the
lounge do so of their own free will
and give members many laughs
but more laughs come from Sir
Peter.
I can remember two stand-out
performances from Sir Peter in the
East Stand lounge.
The first was after a game when
he challenged player Richard
Villasanti to skull a bottle of beer
against him. Sir Peter won (of
course) and had a league ball to
give away. He kicked it into the
crowd but can’t have had his kicking boots on as it hit a member
on the head in front of him. The
crowd gasped, the member fell to
the ground and Sir Peter thought
he might have to give mouth to
mouth but instead the person got
up groggy and was given the ball.
Sir Peter has strict rules in the
lounge when guests and players
are interviewed. No one else is to
talk or they get his wrath and are
asked, no told, to leave the lounge.
Notable guests to perform included, comedian Ewen Gilmour,
hypnotist Guy Cater, singers Tom
Sharplin and Larry Morris, even
Prime Minister Helen Clark was
a regular and in later years John
Key. One year the whole Melbourne Storm team visited the
lounge after the game.
This time Sir Peter saw someone
talking and got stuck in. “Hey
you, the guy with the funny hair
do, you’ve been warned now shut
up.” The ‘guy’ turned around and
it was a woman! Sir Peter turned
to DJ Peter and said, “you told me
he was a guy you fool!” Quick as a
wink he had shifted the blame to
someone else.
Fast forward to 2002 when the
Warriors were making their march
to the Grand Final and members
were invited to a special show on
a Thursday night in the lounge.
There was a live cross to The Footy
Show, in Sydney and Sir Peter had
Darryl (The Big Marn) Brohman
hosting at Mount Smart.
Then one time Sir Peter had an
invited guest who had cancer and
his wife was pregnant. He was
interviewing him when a bloke at
the back began chanting, “Warriors, Warriors.” In a flash Sir Peter
had the chanter out the back door
and we thought he was going to
give him a hiding with the
Continued on next page...
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Page 16
Continued from previous page...
commotion coming through the
door. Sir Peter came back and told
us everything was OK, he just
barred the man from the lounge
for the rest of the season!
Renovations to the East Stand
meant The Mad Butcher Lounge
was on the move again but this
time just 50 metres away.
The Lounge went to the old Frank
Endacott Room, across the pathway. The big bonus to this room
was the windows faced out towards the No.2 field where the
Warriors would warm up before
the game.
You could watch from the lounge
and have an idea how the game
would fare. If they were dropping
catches in warm-up there was a
good chance they’d do it while
playing. You also had an insight to
who was playing and who wasn’t
before anyone else, by the numbers on the players backs.
Seven years ago The Mad Butcher
Lounge made a dramatic change.
CEO Wayne Scurrah told Sir Peter
the players were going to utilize
the room where the lounge was
and would it suit Sir Peter to relocate us to the Immortals’ Lounge,
on top of the West Stand, now
named the Colin Kay West Stand.
“Who wouldn’t,” Sir Peter said.
“A superb view of the game and
the first time we have had a venue
we can stay inside while the game
plays.”
home game for the last eight years
and been members of the lounge
in that time.”
Warriors’ memorabilia is around
the walls plus life size photos of
former players.
“No matter whether the team
wins or loses the Pommy boys
have all the chants for us and we
can always come back and have a
celebration with friends,” Sir Peter
said.
“At the end of the day we all have
one common factor, we are all
supporters of the Mighty Vodafone Warriors!”
This latest Mad Butcher Lounge
now has a waiting list for members
to join.
This newsletter is a product of The
Mad Butcher Club/Lounge.
“The best thing about the lounge
is we’ve had people stick with us
“We began the newsletter to
throughout the Warriors’ history,” inform our members of what was
Sir Peter said.
going on and is has just grown,”
Sir Peter said.
“We even have a couple from
Christchurch, Dave and Lorraine
Long may it continue.
McKee, who have come to every
Lounge Photos from Previous Games
Bob, Lindsay and Ray
Costo (who use to do the
rugby league commentary on
SKY)and Robbie the dancer
MAD BUTCHER LOUNGE
ORIGINALS From left to right,
Mike Brown, Sir Peter, Michael
(Geordie) Storey, Trevor Bell
Paul, Neil, Peter, Steve THE
POMS
The Bulldogs always have good
traveling supporters who
come up to the lounge
The gang Glenda, Margie,
Raewyn, Rosa, Tui, Lorraine.
Mad Butcher Club
Newsletter
Michael Luck, Sir peter Leitch,
Ian Henderson, Jacob Lillyman
after a win.
The Wai Wai Girls Waiheke
Island’s biggest entertainment
for over 100 years performed
in the lounge and had the place
rocking
Page 17
4
League
Life
Summer Fundraiser
Thursday February 4, 2016 at the Ellerslie Racecourse
(The day before the Downer NRL Auckland Nines kick off)
First race approximately 4.30pm Last race approximately 7.30pm
Come Racing! Join us at the League 4 Life Summer Fundraiser to be held at
Ellerslie Racecourse as part of the Barfoot and Thompson Twilight
Summer Series. So why not get a group together and support a great cause
and have some fun at the same time.
Stephen McIvor
MC for the Event
Sir Peter Leitch
NZRL & League 4 Life
Patron
Plus join these former Kiwis: Logan Swann, Roger Bailey, Fred Ah Kuoi,
Ritchie Blackmore, Ken Stirling, Graeme West and more!
By purchasing a ticket to the Summer Fundraiser you are making a generous donation to the
League 4 Life Foundation. Your ticket price includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
A donation to the League 4 Life Foundation
Entry into the exclusive League 4 Life marquee, located on the Champagne Lawn with sweeping views of the home straight and Winning Post
Gourmet BBQ buffet dinner designed by our award winning chefs incorporating the best New
Zealand ingredients, featuring hot items from the grill, a selection of salads,
finished with tea and coffee
Complimentary drink on arrival for each guest
Racecourse admission, racebooks and pens
Convenient access to betting facilities and a cash bar
If you have a group of eight then we can reserve a table for you!
Want tickets? Then contact Sir Peter Leitch on 021 936 105
or [email protected]
Hello Sir Peter
Hi Butch,
ANY THANKS for the
Kiwis supporter jumper
my wife Gill received from your
recent give away. She is very happy
with her shirt as seen in picture
attached.
Just a short hello to see how you are getting on.
M
Regards
Hear are a few photos of the family and I from the past few months.
We have been quite busy recently so I don’t
have many to choose from. We are all really
looking forward to coming back to NZ in
March and catching up with everyone.
Talk to you again soon mate.
Russ Brennan
Lance Hohaia
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe please email Stephen Maier at
[email protected]
Our Sponsors
A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORSHIP PARTNERS!
Without our sponsors’ fantastic support the Mad Butcher Club wouldn’t
be as great as it is. If you get the opportunity to support them please do
whenever you can.
The Newsletter Team
Here is the team that help me make the newsletter each week. Between us we make
the newsletter happen - and like everything it’s a team effort.
Sir Peter Leitch
Editor
David Kemeys
Editor at Large
Hayden Woodhead
Graphic Designer
John Deaker
Correspondent
John Coffey
Southern
Correspondent
Barry Ross
Australian
Correspondent
Ben Francis
Northern
Correspondent